KI, WU and Merkel cell polyomaviruses: a new era for human polyomavirus research

Semin Cancer Biol. 2009 Aug;19(4):270-5. doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2009.04.001. Epub 2009 May 3.

Abstract

The recent discoveries of KI, WU, and Merkel cell polyomaviruses (PyVs) have rekindled interest in the Polyomaviridae and their relation to human disease. Although it may be too early to draw firm conclusions, it seems apparent that these new viruses follow precedents established by other Py viruses: a benign initial infection at an early age, widespread prevalence in the population, and pathologic consequences only in the elderly and/or immunosuppressed. The discovery of Merkel cell PyV (MCPyV) integration into the malignant cell genome immediately implicates this agent in an oncogenic process predicted by previous research with SV40 and murine PyV (MPyV). Their discovery is another reminder that we certainly have not seen the end of novel human polyomavirus identification, but rather the beginning of a new era.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / virology*
  • Polyomavirus / physiology*
  • Polyomavirus Infections / complications*
  • Polyomavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Tumor Virus Infections / complications*
  • Tumor Virus Infections / epidemiology*